“Ditch social media and my T.V for a week . . What ?”
Depending on who you are, and how much you use technology in your daily routine, a digital detox might seem either insane or too easy. It’s not until you begin to experience the highs and lows of a digital detox rollercoaster that you realize just how addicting social media and television is. No matter who you are, if you’re living in a developed, 21st-century country, you probably need a digital detox.
It’s Time To Take Your Freedom Back
Most people are completely oblivious to the all that the digital world steals from them. Imagine how much more time you would be spending on yourself or with your family and friends if you weren’t glued to a screen half the time. Most people wish they had more time on their hands, yet don’t think twice about how long they spend on their phones. Have we forgotten that there’s a life out there waiting to be enjoyed and experienced? Come on, put that phone down and see how your life, your schedule, and your relationships transform.
No, you don’t have to ditch the digital world forever, but I think it would be an interesting self-experiment if we all stepped back from our little pocket-sized worlds and paid attention to the real one. At the very least, I’m sure you would realize just how much more time, and freedom, you will gain.
5 Reasons Why You Need A Digital Detox
It’s time to take a digital detox & move from an artificial life into a real one.
1. Your Digital Life Is Not Your Real One
It always feels strange to stop doing something you’ve been doing for years, but when you step out of the pseudo world within your phone, you will be awakened to what you’ve been missing this whole time. Believe it or not, the way you see the world right now largely has to do with the way you view social media. All those feeds fill our brains and become our reality. Being suddenly aware of what everyone’s doing all the time amps up the comparison game and lessens our ability to make decisions based off of what we truly want–and not what everyone else is doing. Don’t let social media and technology dictate the life you live; go live your real life, the way you want.
2. Time To Love Yourself.
With so much comparison going around, it’s no wonder that self-love is strange to understand. Every picture on social media gives a new meaning to the word “perfect,” and “beautiful.” When your reflection in the mirror doesn’t add up to the images you see on social media, your self-esteem goes down. When we’re constantly comparing, there’s no way we live the life we were always meant to be. It’s time to put down that smart phone and invest that time in developing self-love.
3. Moments Won’t Just Pass You By
Memories are always being created, and if we are constantly checking our phones, we’re bound to miss something. It’s simple pleasures that make life more fulfilling. It’s time to stop letting life pass us by and start experiencing all the real world has to offer us–instead of looking for it in a TV series or an Instagram account.
4. Getting Back To Creativity.
With all the energy the digital world drains from us, there’s less time to feel motivated to create, to complete our goals, and to chase our dreams. By taking time back for yourself, inspiration has room to rise again. It’s time to remember what it feels like to accomplish something, to dream outside of the box, and to chase the life you actually get to live.
5. Gain Your Control Back
When was the last time you completed your tasks and/or to-do lists on time without procrastinating? The digital world is a distraction that easily gets in the way of managing our time. We are wasting too much time on something that doesn’t matter in the long run. It’s time to gain back control of your sleep patterns, your work schedule, and your free time.
How Long Should You Detox?
A week is typically a good time for a digital detox. However, if you’re enjoying the process, why not extend it? Pick what works best for you, but be sure to challenge yourself.
Moments are passing us by, and there’s a life out there that’s waiting for you to explore!
My Personal Experience With A Digital Detox
I personally did this experiment for two weeks. I was flying to Costa Rica and would be gone for a month. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to connect with myself and disconnect from the digital world. It was one of the best choices I’ve made, hands down. I had a phone with me in Costa Rica, but with no wi-fi and no T.V’s, I had no choice but to let go. My digital detox served as clear guidance back to my true, authentic self. While I was walking around in nature one day, I looked around and noticed everyone around me was glued to their phone. I took a look back at the nature around me. I had made the right choice.
“Do it now! can affect every phase of your life. It can help you do the things you should do but don’t feel like doing. It can keep you from procrastinating when an unpleasant duty faces you. But it can also help you do those things that you want to do. It helps you seize those precious moments that, if lost, may never be retrieved.” ~Napoleon Hill
About The Author
Born in Colombia, raised in Florida with a mind full of curiosity on spirituality and how to make the world a better place. Nicole has been practicing yoga since she was 16 years old, ever since she’s wanted to expand her yoga practice which has turned into her ultimate passion. She went to Costa Rica where her practice got more deep and now being a certified yoga instructor, still in Costa Rica, as a writer/blogger and finishing her studies on holistic health. Growing up in a household and group of friends full of support and love is what has allowed her to achieve her dreams and to continue to be where she currently is. Expressing her passions with yoga, writing, health and nature through social media wanting to spread her passion through out the world, one picture and one message at a time. Connect with her on Instagram @nicoletovz